Shipping case fastener



Dec. 22, 1936. O NEWSQN 2,065,240

SHIPPING CASE FASTENER Filed NOV. 19, 1955 II 19232520231910 \)|/l/1INVENTOR Thomas NewSon Attorney UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHIPPINGCASE FASTENER Thomas 0. New

son, Norton, Kans.

Application November 19, 1935, Serial No. 50,595

In Canada 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a shipping case fastener. Its primary objectis to devise and construct a fastening device for shipping cases such asegg crates and the like which may be readily unfastened at the point ofdelivery without the use of key or similar method.

A further object of the invention is to provide a shipping case fastenerthat may be built into the case structure to detachably secure the lidto the case without the use of nails, screws, etc.

A still further object of the invention is to construct a fasteningdevice to be associated with a shipping case to permit the lid beingsecured thereon and removed therefrom without damage to either lid orcase so that the same may be used as often as required.

With these and other objects in view that may appear while thedescription proceeds, the invention consists in the novel constructionand arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically set forth,claimed and shown in the accompanying drawing, forming part of thisapplication and in which:-

Fig. 1 is an end elevation partially in section of the fastening deviceassociated with the lid and the keeper therefor associated with thecase.

Fig. 2 is a cross-section View of the invention showing the fastener andkeeper separated from each other.

Fig. 3 is a similar cross-section view showing the fastener inengagement with the keeper.

Referring more in detail to the drawing in which similar referencecharacters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views itwill be seen the invention comprises a fastener unit l0 to be secured tothe lid or cover structure H and a keeper unit 12 to be secured to thecase structure I3.

The fastener unit comprises an elongated rectangular casing l4 havingits ends l5 open to receive the ends of the cleats I6 w ich form part ofthe lid structure. In the iddle portion two spring wells [7 are for edand positioned vertically therein. Thesaid wells are spaced equidistantfrom the center, being constructed with open slots I8 on the inner sidesthereof and springs 59 are provided therein. A movable element whichconstitutes the catch member is located between th said spring wells andarranged for vertical mo ement. Said element consists of an inverted Ushaped member 20 having an upturned hook or catch 2| formed on one edgethereof while the other edge 22 is slightly bent inward to form a guide.Ex-

June 18, 1935 tending laterally from the member 20 are two springengaging arms 23 which rest on the upper end of the springs l9 and aredesigned to slide vertically in the slots E8 of the spring Wells I1. Onthe inside of the member 20 is a lug 24 by means of which the saidmember is manipulated while directly opposite thereto is an aperture 25in the opposite wall of the member 20. Directly below this member is anaperture 26 in the bottom of the casing i4 through which the member 20is projected. Another aperture 2'! is provided in the side wall thereofto permit an actuating tool 28 being inserted into the device ashereinafter described.

The keeper unit I2 comprises an elongated rec tangular casing having itsends open for the insertion of cleats 29. Said cleats extend therein towithin a prescribed distance from the center leaving a space 30therebetween. In the top of the unit is an aperture 3|, through whichthe member 26 projects while in the bottom thereof is a smaller aperture32 to permit any dirt or other substance being removed therefrom. On theinside wall of the casing is an inwardly and downwardly turned flange33, which is arranged to register with and to be engaged by the hook orcatch 2|.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the two units are secured to orbuilt into their respective members of a shipping case and arranged toregister correctly when the said members are brought together forfastening. An actuating tool such as a screwdriver or any other similarmedium is then inserted into the fastener unit through the apertures 25and 27 to engage the lug 24. The member 20 is then pushed downward,against the force of the springs which are thereby compressed, andprojects through the apertures 26 and 3! into the keeper unit I 2, untilthe hook or catch 2| engages the flange 33 where it is held by thespring tension.

To release the fastener the tool is inserted as before to engage the lug2 3, then the same is depressed and pried slightly, moving the catch outof engagement with the flange. The member 20 is then permitted towithdraw, by means of the spring pressure into the casing I 4 and thelid is thereby released from the case.

It is believed that the construction and advantages of the structure isapparent from the foregoing paragraphs taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing without further detailed description.

While the preferred embodiment of the device has been disclosed it isunderstood that minor changes in the construction and arrangement ofparts may be resorted to within the scope of what is claimed withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a shipping case fastener as described comprising a keeper elementconsisting of a casing having an aperture therein and a flange bentinwardly from the inner wall thereof, a fastener element consisting of acasing, a projectable catch member reciprocally mounted in said fastenercasing, a spring associated with said catch member adapted to exert aretractive force thereon, 'a hook formed on said catch member, a lugassociated with said catch member, said fastener casing and catch memberhaving apertures through which a tool may be inserted to engage said lugwhereby said catch member may be manually projected through the apertureof the keeper casing to engage said hook with the flange in the keepercasing.

2. In a shipping case fastener as described comprising a keeper elementconsisting of 2, casing having an aperture therein and a flange bentinwardly from the inner wall thereof, a fastener element consisting of acasing, an inverted U-shaped catch member reciprocally mounted in saidfastener casing having laterally extending arms at its upper end,springs disposed beneath 10 said arms exerting an upward force thereon,said catch member having a hook formed on its lower inner end, and meanswhereby said catch member may be manually projected through the apertureof the keeper casing to engage the hook of 15 said catch member with theflange of said keeper casing.

THOMAS O. NEWSON.

